Andy Murray will start his Australian Open campaign against Go Soeda of Japan, writes Neil McLeman in Melbourne.

But the Wimbledon champion faces the daunting task of beating all the other members of the Big Four to win his first title here.

The No.4 seed is in the same section of the draw as No.6 seed Roger Federer and the two are scheduled to meet in the quarter-finals.

Murray is then scheduled to face world No.1 Rafa Nadal in the semis, with defending champion Novak ­Djokovic offered an easier route to the final on the other side of the draw.

Nadal will play his first match against Aussie wild card Bernie Tomic.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is also in Murray’s section and could meet Federer in the last 16. Boris Becker said: “It is a loaded half. A lot of the big players are on that side.” In the women’s draw, Laura Robson will face Belgian No.18 seed Kirsten Flipkens in a tough first-round match. The British No.1 also has No.12 seed Roberta Vinci in her section.

World No.1 Serena Williams will open against Aussie wildcard Ashleigh Barty at Melbourne Park where temperatures are forecast to top 40C when the tournament starts on Monday.

(Photo: Getty)

If conditions are extreme, officials have the discretion to suspend play.

Djokovic feels new coach Becker will give him the “mental edge” in the ­pressure-packed Grand Slams.

The world No.2, aiming for his fourth consecutive victory here, said: “I’m really glad and honoured to have Boris in our team as my head coach.

“I sincerely hope he can bring that mental edge because he recognises the situations that one top player is facing, especially during the Grand Slams and the pressures and expectations.”